R. Crumb Original Place Mat Art: Aliens

This is also drawn on the reverse of a
fully intact Le Micocoulier Restaurant placemat measuring 15.5
inches wide by 11.75 inches high. While the first five placemats
described above were drawn in Crumb's trademark Rapidograph Pen,
this Aliens placemat is drawn entirely with brush and ink. This
is technique Crumb employs from time to time but his brush drawings
are far rarer than his pen drawings. This is more a matter of
aesthetic taste than a factor in value. If you're familiar with
the artistic techniques, the difference if obvious. If not,
a pen line is thin and consistent, whereas a brush line is various
considerably in width based on the pressure applied by the artist.
Crumb has a long standing interest in aliens and UFOs which
helps explain the focus of this original. An amusing side note
is the insertion of Pogo as an apparent inspiration for a certain
alien prototype. The character in the lower left corner may
also be recognizable from the Terrytoons features.

In the upper right corner, there is a discoloration
slightly "yellowish" from some sort of food stain from
six years ago. This larger "blotch" is outside the
image area but small satellite of discoloration extends as far
as the head of the male figure who's mouth is being examined
by an alien. This type of "flaw" like the dampness
marks, in the previous piece, is in the eye of the beholder.
Similar placemats with wine, gravy, and other stains were reportedly
most in demand at Crumb's "soldout" show in New York
City a couple of years ago. Our valuation would be somewhat
higher given the complexity and quality of these images. Some
might regard the stain as a "premium."